Politics
Russia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
On the eve of the BRICS summit, Kazakhstan said that the country is still “watching the evolution” of the community with interest, and despite the proposals received by President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, the question of joining the association is not yet on the table. President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev said that in the current circumstances there was no alternative to the UN.
Immediately afterwards it became known that Russia is restricting the import of agricultural products from Kazakhstan, including cut flowers.
The Russian agency in charge offered as an explanation: “Kazakhstan re-exports most flowers from the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium. However, the competent agencies of these countries do not provide the appropriate level of control over the safety of products. The decision was taken in order to preserve the phytosanitary well-being of Russia and the volume of exported goods, as well as in view of the numerous cases (43 cases) of detection in 2023 and 2024 in flower products of the object quarantine for member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union – western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande), which is a polyphagous. Potential economic damage from the penetration and spread of western flower thrips is more than 11.5 billion rubles,” the agency said in a statement.
Growing pressure on Kazakhstan
Kuat Dombai, director of the C+5 Centre for Central Asian Studies, commented on the dynamics of Russia-Kazakhstan relations for Euronews.
“Restrictions and bans on imports of crop products and wheat between Kazakhstan and Russia undoubtedly reflect growing pressure on Kazakhstan, although it is not the first time they have occurred. Previously, Russia repeatedly banned the transit of Kazakh oil through the Novorossiysk seaport under various pretexts of technical failures at the terminal, which coincided with some pressing issues in bilateral relations. More than 80% of Kazakh oil is exported to Europe through it.”
What guides Astana’s position on possible BRICS membership?
“Kazakhstan has repeatedly stated that it does not intend to violate or to some extent bypass the sanctions measures imposed against Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine, which is in practical terms a very difficult task, given that the country is sharing the world’s largest land border of 7,500 kilometres and is in a single customs space with Russia within the EAEU,” explains Kuat Dombai.
The BRICS meeting is taking place in Kazan while Russian troops are destroying Ukrainian towns and villages. How does Russian military aggression affect relations between Russia and Kazakhstan?
“Kazakhstan has undoubtedly found itself in a very difficult economic situation, falling under the threat of secondary sanctions, traditional logistical chains have been destroyed, and Kazakh society is logically and soberingly aware of the threat of possible territorial claims around the corner. Given that after the collapse of the USSR it was two countries – Kazakhstan and Ukraine – that were signatories of the Budapest Memorandum with guarantees from the West in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons,” the analyst explains.
Kremlin: BRICS “is not an alliance against anyone”
Many Western observers believe that amid international sanctions and ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, Russia is trying to show that plans to isolate Vladimir Putin have failed.
The Kremlin says more than 30 countries have applied to join BRICS, but the exact list of countries has not been disclosed.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interviewwith Russian media that “BRICS does not force anyone to sacrifice anything.” According to Lavrov, “this association is not against anyone.” The head of Russian diplomacy also noted that with regard to Kazakhstan’s statements about the UN, “it is necessary to clarify this position.”
“Kazakhstan is a member of many other organisations – the OSCE, CIS, CSTO, SCO and an active member of the Organisation of Turkic States, which, at the initiative of Turkey, is now strengthening ties and is on the rise. The organisation pays great attention to the representatives of our Central Asian allies and strategic partners. None of this prevents either Kazakhstan or other Central Asian countries from actively participating in the United Nations, which is a universal structure but which is now in crisis through no fault of our own. It seems to me that in the long run our southern neighbours, our allies in the CSTO and the EAEU, first of all, will see the direct benefits of rapprochement with the BRICS. It is not necessary to join, but to co-operate in the implementation of specific projects – there is no doubt. This is in the interests of all of us,” Lavrov said.
An aspirant for the Osun State Governorship Election, Bola Oyebamiji is set to become the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to The Nation, the hint on the plan by the party to adopt the consensus option was dropped after Tuesday night’s meeting of the aspirants with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Villa.
Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, is a former Finance Commissioner, who served for eight years in two APC administrations.
Many of the disqualified aspirants pledged to support the consensus plan ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for Saturday.
The potential consensus candidate will face the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) likely candidate, Dr. Najeem Salam, in next year’s poll.
The APC also adopted a consensus for the Ekiti primary that produced Governor Biodun Oyebanji as candidate for next year’s election.
Discussions between the President and the eight aspirants at the meeting focused on how to prevent post-primary crisis that could herald failure at the poll.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the meeting was attended by former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Harater Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
Also at the parley were APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma; and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
President Tinubu, who praised all the aspirants for their contributions to the APC in Osun State, urged them to close ranks and support the consensus candidate the party will present for the governorship election in the state. He also advised them to avoid the internal bickering and disunity that caused the party to lose the last election in the state to the Peoples Democratic Party.
While harping on the importance of party supremacy, President Tinubu charged the aspirants to allow it to prevail in choosing the flagbearer, noting that only the party can benefit from it when it wins elections.
“You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, party supremacy and collective responsibility. I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory to our party in Osun State. You have my support and that of the National leadership of APC to win the coming election,” Tinubu assured.
At the end of the meeting, a joint statement was issued in which the aspirants and the leaders committed to support the candidate who would emerge at the primary.
Here is the statement signed by all the aspirants and the APC leaders:
“We, the undersigned aspirants for the 2025 Osun State Governorship Election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having met and deliberated in the presence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and in the spirit of unity, discipline, and loyalty to our great party, hereby declare as follows:
- That we affirm and uphold the supremacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in guiding and determining the most appropriate process for selecting the party’s flag bearer for the 2025 Governorship Election in Osun State.
- That we unanimously agree to abide by the party’s decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025.
- That we accept the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, and pledge our total support to the candidate so nominated and affirmed.
- That we commit ourselves to peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC, and pledge not to engage in any act, public or private, that may undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party.
- That we will work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the polls and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State.
“We make this declaration voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to our great party, and in recognition of the guidance provided by Mr President and the National Chairman in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State”.
A faction of the Accord Party, reportedly led by the party’s former 2023 Presidential Candidate, Professor Chris Imumolen, has sharply criticized Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection to the party, describing the move as a ‘back-door entry’ and declaring it ‘invalid.’
Osun State Governor had announced his defection to Accord on Tuesday, citing the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Imumolen-led faction claims that Governor Adeleke’s move failed to follow proper party procedures, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of his reported action and his recent clearance as the sole governorship candidate.
According to TVC, party insiders claim that such a move threatens internal cohesion and could deepen existing divisions within political circles.
They say this development could have far-reaching implications, especially with elections approaching.
They warn that party realignments, if not carefully managed, could affect voter confidence and reshape political alliances in the state.
Several ambassadorial nominees, including former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, appeared before the Senate on Thursday for their screening.
They were among a long list of nominees who arrived early at the National Assembly complex ahead of the exercise.
Also in attendance were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Grace Bent, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Nora Daduut, and other former ministers, lawmakers, and serving ambassadors invited for the session.
Following brief introductions, the Senate applied its long-standing tradition of allowing former ministers, ambassadors, and lawmakers to “take a bow and leave,” concluding their appearance without further questioning.
Details later…
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